Wichita, Kan.,--November 22, 2003-- Unique safety seminar receives
endorsement from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
A record 330 pilots and crew members representing more than 140 operators
of Bombardier and non-Bombardier business aircraft participated in an
intense three-day “Safety Standdown” training seminar organized by Bombardier
Aerospace in Wichita, Kan. from Oct. 28 to Oct. 30.
The only safety seminar to be offered by any corporate aircraft manufacturer,
this year’s safety standdown focused on human factors and psychological
aspects of flight safety, as well as advanced maneuvering training and
high-altitude aerodynamics. An optional one-day session also offered
participants hands-on medical and emergency training, including cardiopulmonary
resuscitation (CPR), in-flight medical emergencies and land and water
aircraft evacuation procedures, by FACTS Training, a division of Air
Care International.
“This annual event is funded solely by Bombardier Aerospace and reflects
our deep commitment to safety and desire to give something back to the
aerospace industry,” said organizer Bob Agostino, director, flight operations,
Bombardier Aerospace, Business Aircraft. “Through presentations by several
of the leading safety experts in our industry, the goal is to help flight
crews apply the latest knowledge about safety to benefit their passengers.
This was underscored by this year’s theme of Attitude, Discipline, Knowledge.”
Industry Acceptance
The annual Bombardier Safety Standdown is earning recognition from both
the pilot community and various agencies. It was recently officially
endorsed by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, one of the world’s
leading aviation training institutions, which now offers 2.5 continuing
education credits to all participants completing the sessions. “Bombardier's
commitment to business aviation safety is exemplified by the breadth
and quality of the content presented at their annual Safety Standdown.
It's an exceptional opportunity for corporate pilots to refresh or supplement
their training, interface with experts on a variety of subjects, and
focus on issues such as cockpit resource management and crew interaction
and efficiency. The curriculum is thorough and comprehensive so we not
only endorse it, we're also pleased to offer continuing education units
to participants,” noted Don Hunt, associate director, Center for Aerospace
Safety Education, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
Also attending officially for the first time this year were representatives
from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), National Aeronautics
and Space Administration (NASA), the US Air Force and US National Transportation
Safety Board (NTSB). Pioneering test pilot Robert A. Hoover, 81, was
also among the participants.
This year’s seminar was attended by pilots and crew from Fortune 500
company flight departments as well as small operators, representing
37 U.S. states and seven countries. Nearly 30 per cent of the attendees
operate non-Bombardier aircraft.
“We were extremely pleased by the diversity of participants in this
year’s seminar and proud that there are so many proactive professionals
in our industry,” commented Mr. Agostino. “Our hope is that they will
become mentors for others and advocates of the processes advanced during
the sessions.”
The 2003 Bombardier Safety Standdown featured a taped message from the
Hon. Ellen Engleman, Chairman, NTSB, and a keynote address by Gemini/Apollo
Astronaut Captain Gene Cernan, the last man to walk on the moon. Speakers
included: Dr. Jerome Berlin, a leading psychologist who has studied
pilots for 40 years and spoke about Applied Aviation Psychology; Dr.
Mark Rosekind, a foremost industry authority on Fatigue Countermeasures;
Dr. Tony Kern of the USAF Academy, who spoke about Professional Airmanship
and Human Factors; and Col. Don Wylie, who provided a practical course
on Advanced Maneuvering Training and High Altitude Aerodynamics.
The Bombardier Safety Standdown began seven years ago as an internal
exercise organized and hosted by the Learjet* demonstration flight department
in Wichita. In 2000 it was extended to include all corporate pilots,
regardless of aircraft model, at the request of customers.
Bombardier Aerospace, a unit of Bombardier Inc., is a world leader in
the design and manufacture of innovative aviation products and provides
services for the regional, business and amphibious aircraft markets.
It also offers Bombardier Flexjet* and Bombardier Skyjet* business aircraft
programs, technical services, and aircraft maintenance and pilot training
for business, regional airline and military customers.
Bombardier Inc., a diversified manufacturing and services company, is
a world-leading manufacturer of business jets, regional aircraft, rail
transportation equipment and motorized recreational products. It also
provides financial services and asset management in business areas aligned
with its core expertise. Headquartered in Montréal, Canada, the Corporation
has a workforce of some 75,000 people and manufacturing facilities in
25 countries throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia-Pacific. Its revenues
for the fiscal year ended Jan. 31, 2003 stood at $23.7 billion Cdn.
Bombardier shares are traded on the Toronto, Brussels and Frankfurt
stock exchanges (BBD, BOM and BBDd.F).
* Trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries.
